Tree remover

Abstract

A tree and stump remover, suitable for use on skid-steer or similar vehicles, has a coupling operative with standard bucket mounts. Forward and generally centrally protruding from the coupling is a knife with teeth, serrations, or hooks. In alternative embodiments, the teeth, serrations, or hooks may move relative to each other, or be fixedly mounted. Knife support plates extend the width of the apparatus, and are provided for engagement with the base of a tree. In one preferred embodiment, additional smaller spikes extend adjacent to and spaced from the knife, which further facilitate cutting roots and toppling a tree in a single movement. A process of removing trees and stumps using the preferred apparatus includes cutting the roots extending away from the stump or tree from at least a first side, lifting or toppling the remaining root bundle, and shaking or piercing the root bundle to release dirt retained therein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 585,463 filed Jul. 1, 2004, entitled “Rip N Tip Tree Remover” and naming the present inventor, the contents which are incorporated herein in entirety by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention pertains generally to excavating, and more particularly to land clearing equipment including tree and stump removers. In a preferred manifestation, the invention is an apparatus suitable for rapid mounting on a skid-steer or other motorized earth-moving vehicle, which enables the uprooting of trees or digging of stumps. The apparatus includes a digging element that is generally knife shaped with teeth, serrations, or hooks.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The harvesting of trees has origins that are older than recorded time, and likely originate at the origins of man himself. Trees provide a unique source o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a tree and stump remover suitable for coupling with a skid-steer or similar vehicles. The novel apparatus has a forward and generally centrally protruding knife with teeth, serrations, or hooks. The tree and stump remover is used to cut the roots extending away from the stump or tree, topple the tree, and then shake the remaining root bundle to release dirt retained therein. A first object of the invention is to provide a low-power and direct method of puncturing the soil, severing tree roots and toppling trees and stumps, which is much more efficient than methods of the prior art. A second object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will enable an operator to safely and easily tip and remove trees and stumps. Another object of the present invention is to provide this apparatus as an attachment for existing skid-steers and similar smaller motive vehicles, thereby substantially reducing the cost of purchase and maintenance of the apparatus, while also improving access to areas that could not be accessed with larger equipment. A further object of the invention is to enable very simple maneuvering of the apparatus to effect the tree tipping and stump removal, thereby reducing the amount of operator skill required and simultaneously increasing the safety of use. Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for excavating of soil adjacent the tree or stump, and to thereby minimize the size of the hole and disruption of soil as a result of the tree or stump removal. A further object of the invention is to enable, in the same apparatus, the removal of earthen matter from the roots subsequent to tipping.

Problems solved by technology

The long cellulosic fibers provide strength across large distances, while offering some limited flexibility.

As a result, there is no material which is in wider use for construction of dwellings, or for the furniture found therein.

As those familiar with the history of lumber camps know, this was one of the most dangerous professions.

Particular arrangements of trees were often referred to as “widow-makers”, since controlling the direction of the falling tree could be extremely difficult.

Even with the modern chain saw, there is much hazard, not only from the tree, but from the saw as well.

However, they are not well adapted at moving either trees or brush, and so the land is normally first cleared of trees and brush, and then the earth is worked.

While the foregoing vehicle-supported saws disclose removal of trees and brush, they too fail to disclose the removal of the stumps that will be left behind.

However, powered saws are little match for the rocks and boulders that all too often become entwined within a tree root ball.

When such rocks and boulders are encountered, the operator will lose much time and patience, as the saw is repeatedly broken and repaired.

Furthermore, while power saws may offer conveniences once the tree is felled, these saws are also very expensive, and also quite dangerous to operate, owing in no small part to the risk of flying debris, including broken chains, teeth or other pieces from the saw.

Unfortunately, as the roots are uncovered, the operator must traverse the same area that has just been uncovered.

As will be appreciated, this “brute force” technique requires very large equipment which is not reasonably owned by most land-owners or even smaller construction companies.

Further, even where a company can economically justify such a machine, the transport to and from a job site is, in and of itself, difficult, expensive and somewhat dangerous, due to the large size and weight of the machine.

Finally, the relatively larger equipment that is required to remove the tree also requires much open space to operate in, and will disturb large areas of land during the tree removal process.

As useful as the Breyer concept may be in the tipping of trees, there is nothing provided to assist with the severing or removal of roots, other than the shear power and weight of the vehicle.

Images